If you and I wish to live a life of fulfilment in the presence of the Living
God, the time has come to put all pretences and preconceived ideas aside
and listen to what God has laid down as to the path each of us needs to
follow if we wish to be part of His Kingdom.

I understand that there is a saying in the writings of Mohammed that reads
something like this: "if the mountain will not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed
must go to the mountain."

If God is the mountain, do not expect Him to come to you.

If we wish to become part of His Kingdom, then we go to Him, listen to
what He says, and then do it. God is not our genie, nor our servant.

We aspire to become His servants.

Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring
presents unto him that ought to be feared. He shall cut off the spirit
of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

(Psalms 76:11-12)

If you do not like this, or your pastor or religious leader does not agree
with the idea, that's okay, don't bother reading any further, go and do
something more productive.

If the idea still interests you and you wish to become reborn into the
Kingdom of God, or you believe that you are born again but wish to hear
that still small voice and witness your Creator's supernatural power as
He applies it into your life, and not by hearsay, then let's proceed.

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me
by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive
me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there
is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my
heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my
portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou
hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good
for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I
may declare all thy works.

(Psalms 73:22-28)

**************

This writing started off as being one about talking to God and talking
with God, but as a result of the following passage of Scripture and a nudge
from the Holy Spirit, the emphasis has changed and the question being asked
by God is: are you dear Christian and I professing Christian living a life
of Spiritual fulfilment that is pleasing to God?

Have we given all that we have and are to God? Have we really laid it at
God's feet for Him to take what He wants?

Our heavenly Father is not needing our worldly possessions like our motor
cars or our houses, or our life's savings because those are His in any
case. He is wanting our wills, our everlasting souls, that He gave to each
of us when we were conceived in our mother's womb. Please, please understand
that God wants us to freely give our "freedom of choice" back to Him. When
we give back to God the very best that we have, the only thing that has
any permanent value, that will never die, He shall give it back to us changed,
improved beyond imaginings, ready to be moulded over time by His perfect
loving hands into a tool that He is able to use so that His Kingdom may
come on earth as it is in heaven.

What a privilege, what an honour that you and I can be been found worthy
of being so exalted by the God of creation. Moreover, the Ancient of Days
has seen fit to even converse with us personally.

We find that by being prepared, without reservation or doubts, to give
it all away results in the most wonderful, supernatural change happening.
Things are seen from a whole new perspective.

We discover that we are no longer inward looking, as to what we
want, but outward looking at what God wants us to do for Him. We become
Spiritually empowered, learning all the while to become perfect so that
one day we will be found worthy to share the New Jerusalem with Him.

We shall have achieved our destiny; we shall each be living a life of fulfilment.

Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee
to abide in for ever. And the king turned his face about, and blessed all
the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with
his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it,
saying, Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt,
I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that
my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name
of the LORD God of Israel. And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas
it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that
it was in thine heart. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but
thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house
unto my name. And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I
am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel,
as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD
God of Israel. And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is
the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought
them out of the land of Egypt. And Solomon stood before the altar of the
LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth
his hands toward heaven: And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is
no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who
keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with
all their heart: Who hast kept with thy servant David my father
that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled
it with thine hand, as it is this day.

(1 Kings 8:12-24)

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed
art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it
unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall
be loosed in heaven.

(Matthew 16:15-19)

If you receive the keys of the Kingdom of heaven it is only because you
are spiritually ready to be entrusted with them, which means that anything
that you spiritually bind or loose on earth will be found to have already
been empowered from heaven. In other words you will not have been found
to have stepped out of line of God's commandments. In other words you have
sufficient spiritual knowledge and the faith that goes therewith to accomplish
the wishes of your heavenly Father.

Here's that passage of Scripture previously mentioned:

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that
he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them,
When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair
weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul
weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites,
ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs
of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign;
and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
And he left them, and departed. And when his disciples were come to the
other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them,
Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying,
It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived,
he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason
ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand,
neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets
ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many
baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it
not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he
bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine
of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

(Matthew 16:1-12)

Please take note of who was talking here. It was not just anyone, but our
Covenant Representative, our Mediator to be; who was found faithful unto
death.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful,
even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little
further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as
thou wilt.

(Matthew 26:38-39)

Are you prepared to look at your life, possibly discovering that you are
a pharisee in the christian denomination that you belong to; that there
are certain beliefs and practices that you and your church find acceptable
that are contrary to God's commandments?

Are you prepared to give your life back to your Creator under His terms,
according to His commandments?

Does God know you, or only know of you?

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by
their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even
so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can
a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits
ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we
not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in
thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and
the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell
not: for it was founded upon a rock.

(Matthew 7:15-25)

If you go back to Matthew 16:15-19, you will get confirmation as to who
the Rock is. The flood-tide of Satan's kingdom has no effect thereon.

Are you prepared to be a disciple, a servant of the most High God?

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he
must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee,
Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter,
Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto
me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be
of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man
profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what
shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come
in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every
man according to his works.

(Matthew 16:21-27)

It's hoped that the above teaching has kicked your soul into gear and that
you shall endeavour to find the Lord's will in your life.

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his
benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the
name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence
of all his people.

(Psalms 116:12-14)

Talking to God

As you doubtless remember from studying "Heart of the Gospel", the Holiness
and Righteousness of God precludes Him from interfering in the human goings
on of the world because of Adam's sin - unless requested to do so by one
of those reborn into the Kingdom of God.

Because God is LOVE , He is waiting to hear the requests of those
who are in Covenant with Him through man's Covenant Representative, and
happy to do them because He is now legally empowered to do so.

You must understand that if you belong to God, He shall grant
your pleas.

**************

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

You may ask "What has this to do with talking to God?"

How about this one:

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he
it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

(John 14:21)

Please meditate on this and ask your self "Am I deserving of talking
to Almighty God?"

Bearing in mind that we are merely voyagers through time in these present
bodies, are you and I meeting God's requirements as repeatedly stated in
His word?

Are we obedient to the Covenant vows that we made when we had a change
of heart and willingly discarded our old man, becoming new creatures, or
do we merely claim the privileges?

As a worldly example: if you as a South African were touring through New
Zealand and were taken sick, would you ask for and expect to receive free
hospital and medical attention that the New Zealand citizens pay taxes
for?

Would you get it? No.

If you are a citizen of heaven and do not pay your dues, do you expect
it's benefits?

Would you get them? Let's read all about it.

You might have just said to yourself " There! He has just mentioned the
old Covenant and it's conditions. This oke is a religious nut, so legalistic!
I am a child of Jesus, I'm washed in the blood. All I had to do was believe."
Yes?

Just go back and read John 14:21 again. We see that our unchanging God
is the legalistic one, He offers the Covenant of LOVE, of the blood of
His only begotten Son. The fact of you accepting the Covenant conditions
enables God's grace to convert you, receiving God's Love and Protection.

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith.
Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches,
take heed lest he also spare not thee.

(Romans 11:20-21)

Do you qualify?

*Maschil of Asaph.* Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your
ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will
utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers
have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing
to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and
his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in
Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that
they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come
might know them, even the children which should be born;
who should arise and declare them to their children: That
they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but
keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and
rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright,
and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

(Psalms 78:1-8)

It has been found from personal experience that the closer one chooses
to walk with Jesus Christ the more He will converse and comfort that person;
in all sorts of ways, spiritual as well as worldly.

For example, it has been discovered that the Lord God, the Holy Spirit,
has laid the same burden on other of His disciples, who are proclaiming
the same message of living holy lives at this time of upset of established
earthly values. Because God is LOVE, is it not because He is preparing
us for perilous times?

The intention is not to condemn you, but help you straighten out your thinking.
Do you qualify? . . .Yes. Then let's go forward.

**************

But first, a word of caution. Do not believe what others say about talking
to God.

Especially what you read in this teaching. "This oke" might well be a religious
nut.

It is your duty as well as privilege to find out for yourself the veracity
of what is to follow in this teaching; through your own studies and the
witness of the Holy Spirit in you.

This is easily enough accomplished through the use of a Strongs Concordance
or a copy of the (free) Online Bible, and prayer - and listening.

For example, there is guidance on the subject of allowing others to lay
hands on you when being prayed for. And, for laying hands on others.

Also, beware of wolves in sheep's clothing, those belonging to the angel
of light:

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their
works.

(2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby
know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ
is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit
of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now
already is it in the world.

(1 John 4:1-3)

How does the spirit confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh?

By being obedient to His commandments.

How are the fruits of those taking part in prayer meetings or who pray
for you or lay hands on you? They may be sincere in their actions, but
if not reborn into God's Kingdom they are under the control of the god
of this world. Their prayers might even be answered; but it's more likely
that you will receive a spiritual disservice.

Therefore, never hold hands in a ring of people when praying as there only
has to be one pseudo christian in that ring to undo all the good that you
are praying for.

Is that Biblical? Yes.

Isn't it also common sense? If the laying on of hands of a born again obedient
servant of God enables the Holy Spirit's power to pass into a supplicant,
what about the power of an unholy spirit into a disobedient Christian?

There has even been an unconfirmed report recorded of a new Christian laying
hands on a drunkard and the spirit of the alcoholic passing on to the Christian
who became an alcoholic.

In a certain charismatic church in South Africa, non-believers were prayed
over and received immediate gold fillings in their teeth. Is this Biblical?
No.

What does it then mean, what god does that church worship? You name it.

Be safe rather than sorry. We are dealing with spiritual powers that we
cannot see and only perceive with the help of God's Holy Spirit, and if
we are uncertain of what to do, don't do it.

As we learn and grow into Christian maturity, so shall our faith, and God's
power will become available to us.

Here is what happens if we are in disobedience:

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving
honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together
of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

(1 Peter 3:7)

When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. The earth
and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of
it. Selah. I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked,
Lift not up the horn: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with
a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from
the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down
one, and setteth up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is
a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of
the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring
them out, and drink them. But I will declare for ever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked also
will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

(Psalms 75:2-10)

**************

Now that we (our everlasting souls) are new creatures to God through the
reality that is in Christ Jesus, in other words, now that we have willingly
laid down our wills in these temporary lives and Lord Jesus Christ has
become our guiding light in everything that we do, we can speak to Him
and our loving Father on a minute to minute basis, not so?

And instead of asking for worldly things as a continual approach to satisfy
the "me", we thank Him for manifesting Himself in all His apparent ways:
in each new day, the sunshine and rain, the flowers and trees, the winter
and summer, for the new ability to witness His goodness to others who are
yet in darkness, for our spiritual discernment, His providence, the spiritual
happenings such as miracles and healings, His protection and His promises
- that we know are a reality.

The following is probably the most important passage of Scripture concerning
the subject of talking to God:

Believe this and then act on it:

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to
be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in
heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet
before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their
reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right
hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth
in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou
shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing
in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen
of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou
prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray
to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret
shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as
the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their
much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth
what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore
pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive
men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if
ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto
men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when
thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not
unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father,
which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

(Matthew 6:1-18)

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart
to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

(Matthew 14:23)

We pray in private; person to Person.

The reality of praying to God when you ask or plead for something for yourself
or a loved one is that, like your personal obedience to God's wishes, prayer
is a personal privilege. Do not expect someone else to pray on your behalf
as it shows that you do not believe that God will hear you. In other words,
He is not your God:

And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication
be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even
for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine
eyes do behold us:)

(Jeremiah 42:2)

This is contrary to what is the custom in your church not so? Who are you
going to listen to, your church denomination, or God?

And in all things we thank our God, giving Him also praise and honour at
all times in all situations, private and public, even if we know that we
shall be ridiculed for doing so; because He is our Loving King.

We thank Him for His promises and for answered prayer.

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

(Psalms 30:12)

*To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.* Unto
thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for
that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

(Psalms 75:1)

We have many ways that we can communicate with God; on two levels:

We talk to God and Lord Jesus because we love them in return for their
Love to us, on a worldly level, like to a friend, such as while driving
or while having a cup of the pause that refreshes - always in the steward/Master
relationship.

Secondly on a spiritual level; singing, lifting our hands in praise; getting
down on our knees, worshipping and pleading when in desperate need of help.
Praying and fasting.

In each example God hears us, as a Friend, Master, Father and God.

Singing and lifting our hands in praise,
a sweet savour to the Lord

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:
therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing,
yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry
with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst,
Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

(Psalms 27:6-8)

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

(Mark 14:26)

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

(Ephesians 5:19)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

(Colossians 3:16)

*To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.* Make a joyful noise unto
God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness
of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth
shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to
thy name. Selah.

(Psalms 66:1-4)

*A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.* It is a good thing
to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most
High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness
every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery;
upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through
thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are
thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

(Psalms 92:1-5)

O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his
right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath
made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the
sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward
the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation
of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud
noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp;
with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet
make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

(Psalms 98:1-6)

Praising Him

Talking aloud when reading and affirming God's word especially such as
the Psalms.

*A Psalm of David.* The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom
shall I be afraid?

(Psalms 27:1)

Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him,
and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song
will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is
the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance:
feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

(Psalms 28:6-9)

*A Psalm of David.* Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD
glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship
the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

(Psalms 29:1-2)

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the
upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and
an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully
with a loud noise.

(Psalms 33:1-3)

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call
upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify
me.

(Psalms 50:14-15)

On our (spiritual) knees

Prayer of asking, pleading, for healing of the body and the soul for you
and yours.

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that
they were righteous, and despised others: Two men
went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that
I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or
even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that
I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much
as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God
be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself
shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.

(Luke 18:9-14)

Prayer is for desperate need of help for you and others that you care for:

*To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.* Hear my
cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry
unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that
is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong
tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust
in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:
thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou
wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which
may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I
may daily perform my vows.

(Psalms 61:1-8)

Kinds of prayer; a few examples for illustration:

Importunity - Moses

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which
thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they
have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed
thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought
thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have
seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore
let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume
them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the LORD
his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people,
which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power,
and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say,
For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and
to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath,
and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and
Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst
unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this
land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit
it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought
to do unto his people.

(Exodus 32:7-14)

Imploring - pleading - David

*To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came
unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.* Have mercy upon me, O God,
according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender
mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my
sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and
done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when
thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen
in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest
truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make
me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that
the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from
my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart,
O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors
thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,
O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud
of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew
forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:
thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are
a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt
offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon
thine altar.

(Psalms 51:1-19)

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours,
and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from
me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while
they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times
are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from
them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me
for thy mercies' sake. Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called
upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in
the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things
proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Oh how great is
thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which
thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou
shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou
shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed
be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a
strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes:
nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto
thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth
the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

(Psalms 31:11-24)

*A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech;
who drove him away, and he departed.* I will bless the LORD at all times:
his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall
make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be
glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I
sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They
looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of
all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that
fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is
good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the
LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

(Psalms 34:1-9)

Praying for God's vengeance:

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always
to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a
city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was
a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine
adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself,
Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth
me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the
Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge
his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear
long with them? I tell you that he
will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh,
shall he find faith on the earth?

(Luke 18:1-8)

This kind of prayer seems to be as an example for us to ask our heavenly
Father to take note of our importunity, almost like a long-term fast, expecting
Him to change His mind and grant us our prayer. Because this passage of
Scripture is in conflict with those previously described, especially Matthew
chapter six, a certain amount of confusion exists.

Clarifying Biblical based comment shall be appreciated from you and added
where suitable.

The following might help clarify matters:

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the
house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men
like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn
feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they
shall know that I am the LORD.

(Ezekiel 36:37-38)

Continual prayer for someone's continual ministry:

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying
also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak
the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it
manifest, as I ought to speak.

(Colossians 4:2-4)

We pray in public such as prayer meetings. This can get out of hand if
there are unbelievers in the assembly as the meeting will degenerate into
mere words of self importance.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the
heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking.

(Matthew 6:7)

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:
and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had
a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid
her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing
is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken
away from her.

(Luke 10:38-42)

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let
them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And
the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;
and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was
a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that
it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three
years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and
the earth brought forth her fruit.

(James 5:13-18)

Praying and fasting

Prayer and fasting is to draw God's attention to one's present urgent need.
A sacrifice that one makes to draw God's attention to the earnestness of
one's supplication. Similar to the Old Covenant custom of dressing in sackcloth
and throwing ash on one's head. Very uncomfortable.

When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my
reproach. I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of
the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in
an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the
truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink:
let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up,
and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness
is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

(Psalms 69:10-17)

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and
fasting.

Matthew 17:21)

God hears our prayers:

God listens to our pleas:

We must believe this.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are
open unto their cry.

(Psalms 34:15)

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

(Psalms 65:2)

*To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.* I cried unto God
with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto
me.

(Psalms 77:1)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall
be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will
he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If
ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how
much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them
that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(Matthew 7:7-12)

However, God does not listen to all. Have you wondered why some prayers
are not answered?

They shall be if we follow His commandments.

Here is that verse again; everything depends on it being fulfilled:

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he
it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

(John 14:21)

Take on the yoke that is offered and become the blessed possession. Reject
being yoked and suffer the consequences:

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But
verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy
from me.

(Psalms 66:18-20)

God is speaking to His Covenant people here through His prophet:

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also
that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not
contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should
fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity
of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth,
and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways,
and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him
and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him
that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and
I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when
it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no
peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

(Isaiah 57:15-21)

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer
for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.

(Jeremiah 7:16)

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer
for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto
me for their trouble.

(Jeremiah 11:14)

Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

(Jeremiah 14:11)

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets
and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither
hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy
falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. For
thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon
I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to
return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected
end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and
I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when
ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found
of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will
gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have
driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence
I caused you to be carried away captive.

(Jeremiah 29:8-14)

He that is not with me is against me; and he that
gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

(Matthew 12:30)

Please study Luke chapter twelve.

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many,
I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once
the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye
begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open
unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye
are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence,
and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know
you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

(Luke 13:24-27)

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein,
and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the
house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

(Luke 19:45-46)

Our prayers and pleas shall be attended to if we know Him and have
committed ourselves to Him with the Covenant vow.

Is your thanks at table mere habit?

Has your prayer life become mere habit?

**************

The foundation of prayer is faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently
seek him.

(Hebrews 11:6)

Diligent - Steady and earnest application, industrious.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the
sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled,
saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus
spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is
I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be
thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to
go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched
forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O
thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

(Matthew 14:25-31)

How can we talk to our heavenly Father if we don't believe:

That He LOVES us.

That He hears us.

That He answers us.

That He does what we request.

How does one grow in faith so that miracles and healings become commonplace
as a result of our prayers?

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into
all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and
as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

(Matthew 14:35-36)

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his
body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases
departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

(Acts 19:11-12)

From studying John 14:21 we understand that if we love Jesus we will find
out His commandments and be obedient to them.

The Old Covenant was consummated by the people who made up the children
of Israel who are the Jews of today. They stood outside their tents in
the desert, felt the earth tremble beneath their feet and watched the fire
and brimstone of God's power on the mountain. The Covenant was one of worldly
senses, feel and see, and made in fear of God and was made by the whole
nation. God still honours that Covenant even though individuals in the
Jewish nation do not. That is why there were the prophets of old, to warn
the Covenant breakers of the consequence of their sin.

The Covenant that Jesus, the Son of man, made on our behalf with Father
God was one of love, and only by our individual commitment in love
shall God's grace descend upon us and we can become reborn of God's Holy
Spirit.

It is only when we understand that we have to die to self,
like the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies that God will
work the miracle in our everlasting souls and convert us and we
shall come alive to the presence of God.

If we study John 14:21 again we notice that only after we practice obedience
to the commandments of Jesus will He supernaturally manifest Himself to
us and our faith will start to grow. Our initial faith will be converted
to faith by God's power of grace.

We can go to church for twenty years without bothering to study God's word
and will never grow spiritually and will not be rewarded on that day.

Faith comes by hearing and believing comes from practising what
Jesus commands because He shall reward us with His presence which increases
our confidence:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall
they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear
without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as
it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel
of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all
obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the
earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

(Romans 10:13-18)

Now that our souls are converted we have the Holy Spirit living inside
us and we are the temple of the Living God, so we must remain holy, continuing
to practice the commandments of Jesus Christ and continuing to receive
His benefits.

Now, please, let us, you and I, understand and believe the following:

Have faith that the Holy Spirit is part of the triune God, the Three in
One. If God is living inside you, that's how close He is, and if you
are living a life of loving obedience, God is able to do anything
through you.

Do you understand, do youand I believe!! ?

If we follow God's commandments in the matter of prayer, what we pray for
will be heard by God who is inside us and the matter will be dealt with
by His Almighty Power because our prayer is in line with His will.

Hallelujah!

You may have doubts, mainly because of your previous experiences, and say
"Are you sure?"

Don't ask me, ask the Author of the Book, He's just waiting to reveal Himself
to you - in LOVE.

How does God convert someone?

As the newspaper vendor shouts "Read all about it, Read all about it -
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!"

For the obedient Christian, answered prayer comes from one source only,
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus of Nazareth stated that He was obedient to the Father, and in this
way performed miracles and healings.

You, dear brother or sister have the Holy Spirit residing in you; and He
it is who has the power to do, through the conduit of the will of your
faith, and also on the laying of your hands on the sick, to heal.

Please understand, it is not your will that heals anyone - it is your will
to be obedient to God's will in faith that enables Him to manifest Himself
through you.

He wants to show His LOVE, but because we are in Satan's kingdom, He can
only do anything through obedient citizens of the Kingdom of God.!

It is only when you and I are willing to become His servant that we are
empowered to become His disciple and are Spiritually enabled. God will
only use us when He knows that He can trust us.

So, get reading and believe. He will meet with you midway through
the Book.

**************

Direct your prayer to a Person, the Living Person of God, "seek His face".
Project your mind if you wish, into God's throne room with His magnificent
Presence where everyone present bows to Him (Isa 6:1-8), with Jesus on
God's right hand side.

We direct our attention outward to God, not inward to ourselves, and us
praying. Not to an idol or picture.

*A Psalm of David.* I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the
gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple,
and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou
hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou
answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my
soul.

(Psalms 138:1-3)

God speaks to us and answers our requests and pleas in signs and wonders:

Signs such as with His voice, visions and providence.

Wonders such as miracles.

*A Psalm of David.* Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not
silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them
that go down into the pit.

(Psalms 28:1)

Lest we forget:

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried:
he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

(2 Samuel 22:31)

May this writing encourage you to delve deeper into God's word and allow
the Holy Spirit's insights to reward you.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his
face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy
saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let
all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy:
for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon
earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise
thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even
our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the
earth shall fear him.

(Psalms 67:1-7)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when
he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.

(James 1:12)

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be
his God, and he shall be my son.